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Catcher Ross agrees to two-year deal with Red Sox

Catcher Ross agrees to two-year deal with Red Sox

10/5/12: David Ross smashes a two-run home run to left-center field, breaking the scoreless tie in the second inning

By Ian Browne
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MLB.com |

BOSTON -- The Red Sox have bolstered their catching situation by signing David Ross to a two-year, $6.2 million deal that is pending a physical, MLB.com has confirmed.

The free-agent deal was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

A right-handed hitter with 11 years of Major League experience and a strong reputation on defense, Ross serves as a strong complement to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and could give the Red Sox one of the most productive catching tandems in the American League.

Though Saltalamacchia is a switch-hitter, he is far stronger from the left side. Saltalmacchia belted 25 home runs for the Red Sox in 2012.

The big question this signing leaves is where it leaves prospect Ryan Lavarnway, a right-handed power hitter who didn't perform well with the bat while getting a lot of playing time for Boston late in '12.

However, Lavarnway, always known for his offense, never got comfortable at the plate, hitting .157 with two homers and 12 RBIs.

In 62 games as the Braves' backup catcher last season, Ross hit .256 with nine homers and 23 RBIs.

He received the start in the Wild Card game against St. Louis and rewarded the faith of manager Fredi Gonzalez by going 3-for-4 with a home run that staked the Braves to an early lead.

The Red Sox signed Ross late in the 2008 season for depth purposes and he was on the team's roster in September, hitting .125 over eight at-bats.

The 35-year-old Ross has also played for the Dodgers, Pirates, Padres and Reds before settling in with the Braves the last four seasons.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.